A Length of Resist Dyed Cotton: A Row of Kanji

early twentieth century
62" x 12 7/8", 157.5 cm x 32.4 cm

This is a handsome length of tsutsugaki dyed cotton whose colors are indigo and undyed, white cotton.

The length is a partial length that bears 4 kanji or Chinese characters each of which is rendered in such a way as to mimic strong, calligraphic brush strokes.

The indigo color is good and rich and it could be the result of first dyeing the cotton in black and then overdyeing in indigo which is a method used in early 20th century Japan.

The cotton is of good weight and the indigo areas are worn and slightly faded.

There is some scuffing to the indigo and there is a small hole near one of the kanji as can be seen on the accompanying detail photos. There is a mending patch on the back, center, left of the length.